About this event:

Once again GCA will be venturing south for the MLK holiday weekend to paddle some of Florida’s beautiful springs and rivers. We will be setting up our base camp near the Chassahowitzka River Campground and doing day trips from there. We will be driving down on Thursday, January 14, 2021 and paddling the next four days (Friday, January 15, 2020 – Monday, January 18, 2020).  Potential paddling locations include (but are not limited to): Withlacoochee River, Chassahowitzka River, Ichetucknee Springs, Crystal River, Weeki Wachee, Rainbow River, Silver River, Juniper Springs, Braden River, Hillsborough River, etc.

For several years now we have camped at the Chassahowitzka River Campground and met each morning in their main parking lot to get organized for the day’s adventure. We will still meet in their parking lot each morning to group up and you are still welcome to camp there. If you choose to camp you are responsible for making your own reservations. Their contact information and campground details can be found at http://www.chassahowitzkaflorida.com/.

ADDITIONAL LODGING OPTION:

As you know, it can be quite cold in Florida in January. In the past we have stayed at a campground but, after the weather the last few years, I have decided that I am tired of being cold at night. Therefore, I have reserved the Chassahowitzka Hotel again for this year! The Chassahowitzka Hotel is located about one mile from the Chassahowitzka River Campground where we have camped in the past. The Chassahowitzka Hotel is different from a lot of hotels because it is really a large house which has been converted to a hotel. They rent out rooms in the house but both levels have a common area where people can gather and visit. They have porches where people can also visit if the weather is nice. There are two bathrooms upstairs – one is designated for men and the other for women. There is also a very large dining room table near the kitchen. We are not allowed to use the kitchen to cook (we can use the microwave to heat things up), but they have someone who comes in each morning to fix a continental breakfast (included in the cost of the room). We usually eat lunch on the river and dinner out at a restaurant so this works well. We will still meet at the campground parking lot in the morning to get organized for the daily trips. The people who stayed in the hotel last year were pleased with the arrangements. Not only were we dry (with heat and indoor plumbing) we had more opportunity to visit with other participants and get to know each other better. This was a very nice benefit on top of being warm and dry. Additionally, the facility was very clean and the staff was extremely helpful.